Bathing cap



oct. 1', 196s E. WEISSBERG 3,403,406

BATHING CAP Filed July 5, 1966 @gg-Ma United States Patent O 3,403,406BATHING CAP Ernest Weissberg, 11728 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif.90025 Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 562,547 4 Claims. (Cl. 2-68) ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is an improved watertight bathing cap ofthe type which has an inflatable marginal edge whereby to provide a sealto the wearers head. In a preferred form of Ithe invention the skullpart of the cap is double-walled providing an air space between thedouble walls, both walls conforming to the contour of the wearers head.This chamber is connectable to the inflatable seal of the cap which maythen be inflated merely by the wearer putting the cap `on to applypressure to the double-walled charnber or simply by the wearer pressingon the skull to force air out of this chamber. A disconnectable checkvalve is provided between the double-walled chamber and the inflatableseal whereby it may be inflated and the air may be released from it,that is from the inflatable seal.

This invention relates to a bathing cap and, more partic-ularly, to awatertight bathing cap which is inflatable by the wearer for effecting awatertight seal around the lower marginal edge thereof. The improvementsof this invention reside particularly in the means for inflating thewatertight seal around the marginal edge of the cap. This means, asdescribed in detail hereinafter, is of a nature such that by merelyputting on the cap, the wearer automatically causes the watertight sealto become inflated.

Bathing caps are known to the prior art in which a watertight seal isprovided wholly or partly around the marginal edge of the cap to preventwater gaining access to the hair of the user. With respect to theseknown prior art caps, it has been customary for the user to inflate thewatertight seal by blowing air into it through a tube. Such seals havenot been effective because it is not possible to develop sufflcientpressure by blowing from the mouth to produce an effective seal. This istrue because when the cap is on the head the material is stretchedmaking it harder to inflate the seal. The herein invention provides anarrangement whereby sufilcient pressure can be developed intheinflatable seal to make it effective.

In a preferred form of the invention, an enclosed air pocket is providedwithin the skull part of the cap which is connected to the inflatablewatertight seal through a tube and a valve. When the cap is put on, theair pocket is collapsed; the -air is forced out of it through the tubeto inflate the watertight seal, and it is held therein by way of a checkvalve. The air cannot be released from the inflatable seal until thetube connection thereto is opened allowing release of the air. With thislarrangement as stated, sufilcient pressure is developed to make theseal effective. In the past, bathing caps have incorporated marginaledge seals comprising a strip of soft rubber or spongy material havingalternate ridges and grooves. Such arrangements or construction are notnecessary and are eliminated by the present invention.

With the herein invention, pressure can be exerted on the skull part ofthe cap to further compress the air pocket so that a desired degree ofpressure can be attained in the inflatable seal. This pressure can beexerted by the lhands while putting on the cap so that the inflation ofthe seal is autom-atie.

In the light of the foregoing, the primary object of the invention is toprovide a bathing cap having an inflatable watertight seal, asdescribed, and means for automatical- 3,403,406 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 lyinflating the seal when the cap is put on, at a pressure suflicient toprovide an effective seal.

Another object is to provide an improved bathing cap, as referred to inthe foregoing object, wherein the means for inilating the seal comprisesan air pocket in the cap which is collapsed when the cap is put `on toforce the air out of it and into the inflatable seval.

Another object is to provide a cap, as in the foregoing, wherein the airpocket is formed by a flexible membrane in the skull part Iof the capforming a collapsible air pocket.

Another object is to provide a means, as in the foregoing objects,wherein the membrane is formed so as to normally space itself from theskull of the cap, so that air can freely enter into the air pocket.

Another object is to provide a means, as in the foregoing objects,including resilient members normally holding the air pocket in anuncollapsed state and being flexible to collapse with the pocket whenthe cap is put on.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the foil-owing det-ailed description and annexed drawingwherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the form of the invention of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side view, in section, showing the cap in position on awearers head;

FIGURE 4 is 1a sectional view of a preferred form of valve used inconnection with the air pocket and inflatable seal;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the valve of FIGURE 4 with the valveshown open;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of cap; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the cap of FIGURE 6 showing the airpocket collapsed.

Referring now more in detail to FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings, there isshown by way of illustration, but not of limitation, a cap designatedgenerally by the numeral 10 constructed in accordance with thisinvention. The bathing cap comprises a substantially hemisphericalhollow cap body 11 of a relatively thin, pliant, resilient material suchas rubber, neoprene, plastics, or the like. The cap body 11 is hereinillustrated as having a rather conventional style and configurationhaving a marginal edge 12 including a forehead portion 13l adjacentcoeXtensive temple portions 14 and downwardly extending neck portion 16which depends sufficiently to `cover the ears and the nape yof the neckof the wearer thereby completely enclosing the hair which, in the caseof long hair, is normally tucked under and within the body 11.

In order to provide a 4sealing engagement between the marginal edge 12and the outer surface of the head, as illustrated in the outline inFIGURE 3, the marginal edge 12 is provided with an inflatable tube means18, which is preferably integral with the marginal edge 12 of the body11, or may be formed, if desired, using a separate strip of pliant,resilient material such as rubber, neoprene, plastics, or the likecemented or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the body 11.Preferably, the inflatable tube member 18 extends completely around themarginal edges of the cap, as shown. The cap is smooth on the inside oftube member 18, no other sealing means being required.

Formed within the interior of the cap and, preferably, within the rearpart of the skull portion of the cap is an air pocket 22. This airpocket is formed by a membrane or partition 23 having edge portionssealed, as shown at 24, to the interior of the skull portion of the capso that the membrane 23 can become spaced from the cap itself, as shownin FIGURE 2. Preferably, the material of the membrane 23 isformed tohave a slight set so that it will normally take a position, as shown inFIGURE 2, freely allowing air to enter the air pocket 22.

The cap has a chin strap 47 which may be made of rubber or othercomparable material having an adjustable slider 48 which carries a snapmember that may be snapped into a snap button 50 on one side of the cap,as shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 shows the cap in position on a wearers head. FIGURE 2 shows thetube 31 disconnected from the valve member 30. Before putting the capon, the wearer connects the tube 31 to the valve 30. The wearer thenputs the cap on, as shown in FIGURE 3, and this collapses the air pocketat 22, the membrane 23 being forced against or substantially against thematerial 11 of the cap itself. This forces the air out of the air pocket22 through the tubes 26 and 31 into the inflatable seal 18 to inflateit, as shown in FIGURE 3, suiciently to prevent access of any water intothe cap between the wearers head and the marginal edge of the cap. Thewearer may press the skull part of the cap against the head using .thehands to further compress the air pocket 22 so that development ofsuiiicient pressure in the sealing tube 18 for effective sealing isassured. With the cap on, as shown in FIGURE 3, the tubes 26 and 31 arein a position, as shown in FIG- URE 3, at the back of the wearers headand neck. The check valve 30 prevents air from escaping; from theinflatable seal 18. When the cap is removed, the tube 31 may bedisconnected from the valve 30 allowing the air to escape from the seal18. Air at atmospheric pressure can then enter through the valve 30 intothe space 22 so that the membrane 23 assumes a position, as shown inFIGURE 2, and the cap is ready for reuse.

The check valve is shown in detail in FIGURES 4 and 5. It comprises atubular body and is shown having a small end bore 33 and a largerintermediate bore 34 with a tapered seat between those bores providing aseat for ball valve 37. At the end of the valve 30 there is a closure 43having a small central bore 44, the end of which forms a stop for theball valve 37 with angular bores 40 spaced outwardly from the bore 44.As may be seen when the ball 37 is in a position as shown in FIGURE 4 owthrough the valve is prevented. Flow in the opposite direction moves theball 37 away from its seat to the position as shown in FIGURE in whichflow through the valve is permitted.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a slightly modified form of the invention in whichsimilar parts are identified by similar numerals. This form of theinvention is different in that resilient or collapsible means areprovided to cause the membrane or partition 23 normally to be spacedfrom the cap 11' itself so as to insure that this space will iill upwith air when the valve 30 is open to the atmosphere. Various means maybe provided to insure this result. In the form of the invention shown,flexible or resilient pro* jections 35 and 36 are provided which areformed integral with the cap 11 and extend inwardly to normally spacethe membrane or partition 23 away from the skull part of the cap 11 asshown in FIGURE 6. When the cap is put on, the membrane 23 comes into aposition as shown in FIGURE 7 in which the air is forced out of thespace 22 with the projections 35 and 36 collapsed as shown. Thus, theresult desired is achieved in the manner described, the cap otherwisebeing used in a manner similar to that of the previous embodiment.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe that theinvention achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as setforth in the foregoing, as well as having many additional advantagesthat are apparent from the detailed description. Particularly, it willbe observed that the cap need only be put on and that the air sealmember is automatically intiated simply by the pressure of the wearershead against the air space formed within the cap.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of theinvention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of theclaims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A bathing cap comprising a generally semispherical hollow cap ofpliant resilient material having a crown portion shaped to conform to awearers head and a marginal edge, said marginal edge including foreheadportions, a pair of coextensive temple portions and a depending neckportion interconnecting said temple portions, hollow tube means ofpliant resilient material on said cap adjacent said marginal edge, saidcap having an inner wall portion sealed about its periphery Within saidcrown portion and forming therewith a iiexibly collapsible resilientchamber adapted to be collapsed to conform to the contour of the wearershead when a person puts the cap on so as to force air out of saidchamber, and passage means providing communication between said chamberand said hollow tube means, whereby the hollow tube means is inflated,by merely putting said cap on a wearers head, sufliciently to provide aseal preventing entry of water past said hollow tube means into theinterior of the cap, said inner wall portion being shaped to normallymove away from said crown portion to enlarge said chamber when said capis removed from the wearers head.

2. A cap as deiined in claim 1 wherein said passage means includes acheck valve permitting air to ow only from said chamber to said hollowtube means.

3. A cap as deiined in claim 2 wherein said passage means includes amanually separable connector arranged to relieve air from said hollowtube means.

4. A cap as deiined in claim 1 including yieldable means normallybiasing said inner wall inwardly away from said crown portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,072,483 3/1937 Naundorf 2-683,108,283 l0/l963 Gasaway 2-68 3,329,970 7/1967 Damsz 2-68 JORDANFRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

H. HAMPTON HUNTER, Assistant Examiner.

